Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Alot of older 'Appalachians' like me, have our own personal things we like to do. I have alot of those. One of my favorites nowadays has been going on for me for 4 to 5 years now. A good buddy of mine owns a hideaway in Owen County Kentucky. Dave and i met during our college days and have been good friends ever since. He inherited a farm in the above mentioned county years ago from his dad. Years ago some hunters asked him to hunt on his farm. It evolved from that first meeting into an annual trek for those hunters and now their sons and friends.

Thru the years these guys decided to make a huntin lodge on the property with Dave's permission of course. It started out as an old school bus that they put near the old house that burned years before. The chimneys still stand on the original homesite. Since then they have basically built a complete huntin lodge around the old bus. It has a complete kitchen, and 9 beds. There is no electricity. Lanterns are mostly used throughout the lodge. However there is a big power generator when needed, and propane gas for the cooking stove and heat.

It is an absolutely stunning and rustic place for a downhome getaway. A few years ago Dave and some friends decided to hold a Magician's conference there. Dave is an avid magician, along with some of his buddies. It eventually evolved into an annual get together on Memorial Weekend. I started attending about 5 years ago. It is a get together that has all the fun you could wrap into a fun weekend away from the rat race. Cookouts, telling stories around the campfire, magic tricks, practical jokes, fireworks, and our views on the world today sitting on the porch. It is truly a step back in time. It is a shame that more people never get the chance to have this experience.

This Saturday morning i am heading down there again. Looks like everybody and more will be there again. I have included 3 pictures of the lodge and will probably do another story a little later on about this year's activities. Till next time.